Help Required

[Jud]

My company is moving my depot from a 15 min walkable stroll to somewhere requiring a cheap mode of transport. I have a full licence (from1980) not ridden in 15 + years I am looking for a fun 125cc bike up to a max of £2000 As a former off roader my heart lies with something like endure/adventure/sports but road legal sort of thing. Also do I need anything further than my full licence to get on the road? cheers for any help.

[thx1138]

assuming you got a full bike licence, nothing stopping you.

in my opinion, get something bigger than a 125, just slightly bigger, cos all the L plate warriors are chasing these and inflate the price slightly

CRF250L would be okay, but pricey probably - actually I'd sell you mine for £2k, it's sound, but taken a battering

Look at something like a Serow maybe? The 250 version is probably better.

i

[Wonko The Sane]

If you've got a full licence that's still valid (check the back of your licence that it still includes bikes, the DVLA have been known to loose entitlements when licences are updated following house moves / obligatory picture replacement) then you should be legally fine to just jump on a bike (you're insured for) and ride

It may be worth booking an hour or so with a local riding school for a refresher course just to check you've not got any bad habits that are going to get you flattened before you're off on your own.
____________________
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They're also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Focus-Rider-Training/196832923734251

[skatefreak]

A bit morbid but I would second a ride out with a riding school if it's been that long. One of the higher risk categories (returning from a long break).

Slightly different suggestion. Honda Grom 125?

First saw one in Thailand a few years ago (before they hit the UK) and have had a soft spot for them ever since

[M.C]

Derbi Terra.

[Baggyman]

Best way to get to the right answer is to ask yourself a better question.

What is important to you? Commute only, fun riding, green laning etc.
Pillion?
What are your routes like? Motorway/dual carriageway? A roads? B roads
Gear? - particularly rain/cold? for every day commuting
Overall budget (bike, gear, insurance, tax, maintenance etc)
How "handy" are you with doing your own maintenance?
etc.

Write them down in order of importance and then you can easily review options against them. Having done all that, do what most of us do and ignore the result and buy what you want
____________________
Old fart
Baghira, modded GS1000 and the T150 I bought in 1978 when I was 21

[Freddyfruitba...]

[Jud]

Cheers guys all good sensible answers. I was considering a little refresher just to blow the cobwebs away. My initial thoughts were something just to commute on but spending time looking at 2 wheels with serious intent has ignited a spark or mid life crisis, all advice appreciated.

[Rogerborg]

First: https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

Does it say that you have category A (without any tri / 3 conditions)? If it doesn't say it, you don' t have it. Your physical licence, whether card or paper, is now effectively irrelevant.

If you are licensed up, I'd bag something 250cc and upwards. 125s, I tried to go back, but it was like taking a wank with my socks on.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[kgm]

I enjoy my 125 and use it most days for my short commute but as sole transport I'd want something a little bigger. The 125 is fun on roads with a 50mph or under speed limit, and ok on some back roads but if it's really windy and the weather is terrible then the bigger bike is far less stressful. That said when the time eventually comes to replace it with another small bike I'll be looking at a 250 most likely.

From a modern 250 the fuel economy will be pretty much on par with a 125, the service intervals will be further apart and the slight increase in power is very much a benefit. Parts costs are on par. This means a 250 will likely be cheaper to run long term. Youll also likely find a good 250 for less money than a good 125 as 125s command a learner premium. There's little advantage to be had in a 125 over a modern 250 really unless you don't have a full license and can't ride bigger. You'll probably

[thx1138]